Rancher ticketed for riding horse to Taco Bell
A little over a century ago, horses and horse-drawn vehicles were the norm on urban streets, rather than motorized vehicles.
But times have changed considerably since then, and a Texas man has the ticket to prove it.
Two weeks ago, after Allen police said they repeatedly warned him, Rick Braun was cited for riding an animal in public–his horse, reports WFAA. He says he plans to fight the $266 ticket.
A local ordinance in Allen bans riding or driving an animal on the sidewalk or “within any portion of the street or right-of-way of a heavily traveled street.” Police note that some residents have complained about horse droppings. Plus, they say, Braun’s horses are on the dark side and thus hard to see, presenting a safety issue when he rides in at night.
Braun told the station that he and friends were riding down a greenbelt but had to cross a road or two to get to Taco Bell. He was coming from his ranch in nearby Collin County.
It’s horse country!” he said. “Everywhere you go, there’s horses everywhere.”
Related coverage:
American Heritage (1971): “Urban Pollution–Many long years ago “
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Safe-Driving Ad Campaign Helps Clarify: Drunken Horse Riders Comply with DUI Statute”
